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A FULL pre-season and an enhanced understanding of the game plan and its structures are reasons why Beau Maister is optimistic he can build on his 2012 form and become a regular for St Kilda this season.

The newly-named Maister, formerly Wilkes, has not missed a session across summer and has got through without having to manage an injury.

He also believes that with a year as a Saint under his belt, he's better poised to consistently make an impact at the club after playing nearly half of last season.

"Last year was a challenging year and I was happy to a degree to get 10 games, but I'm really striving to improve on that this year," Maister told AFL.com.au.

"As much as it's never easy because it's very demanding what we do, being my second year this year I've become closer with certain guys and I feel a bit more comfortable around the club.

"I know the structures a lot more now than when I came straight in last year.

"Body wise I've felt good, I've done as much as I think I could have training load wise.

"I haven't missed a main session, so that always leaves you in good stead."

Maister, who legally changed his surname last month to that of his mother Margaret, played in rounds five, seven and eight before a further seven games between rounds 15 and 23 last year.

He kicked 15 goals, including five against Melbourne in round 20, and took the fourth most marks inside 50 of any St Kilda player, despite only playing 10 games.

Maister said he was determined to make sure he was considered for senior selection each week after becoming more confident with the Saints' game plan.

"By no means (do) I want to be sitting out of the side at any stage of the year. I want to be featuring in the 22 as much as possible," he said.

"That's what every player on the list is striving towards.

"From an individual point of view, I want to put my name forward each week to be in that 22 and I'll be doing everything possible to do that."

The Saints are not without forward line flexibility. There are the obvious options of Nick Riewoldt, Justin Koschitzke, Rhys Stanley and Ben McEvoy, with new recruits Tom Lee, Tom Hickey and Spencer White adding new possibilities.